Planning a Hanukkah dinner with household and buddies? Along with breaking out standby recipes, take into account just a few culinary departures. From crispy latkes with a candy twist to a fool-proof, however nonetheless festive, dessert, these recipes from the Salon archives actually shine for the Competition of Lights.
Sweet potato and apple latkes with hot honey mascarpone
This sweetened up model of conventional latkes leans on crispy candy potatoes with pops of vibrant, shaved apple and a few jammy pink onions. As a substitute of the go-to bitter cream as an accompaniment, we have substituted wealthy, tangy mascarpone spiked with just a bit scorching honey. Fast be aware: Candy potatoes have a good quantity of moisture. This turns into actually obvious once you shave them down for the latkes. Make sure to actually wring all additional water from the fruit and vegetable combination earlier than frying.
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Swap out brisket for this slow-simmered oxtail ragù, which is flavored with finely chopped rosemary and oaky pink wine. What I like about this dish for entertaining is that it’s the poster little one for “set it and neglect it” cooking, permitting you to give attention to different issues (like making dessert?). Usually the accompanying orzo is tossed with butter, however be at liberty to substitute good-quality olive oil for those who’re avoiding dairy.
Final month, Maggie Hennessy wrote a beautiful information to getting out of 1’s subsequent salad rut, as a result of it is truthfully inevitable. I will not spoil the information, which you can read in full here, however she did recommend a salad that I believe can be an ideal addition to your vacation desk. It is blessedly easy — constructed from shaved crunchy greens like carrots, fennel, radishes and pink onions, dressed with a easy mustard French dressing — however the freshness and acidity will reduce by means of among the extra decadent (i.e. fried) dishes fantastically.
Sufganiyot with blood orange jam
Is it truly a Hanukkah get together with out olive oil-fried doughnuts? We predict not. Take a look at this detailed walkthrough from Food 52 for making sufganiyot, however as an alternative of the called-for apricot jam, take into account a variation that makes use of blood orange marmalade. In an interview with Salon, Institute of Culinary Training chef-instructor Adrienne Cheatham beneficial the seasonal fruit: “They’re so good to make use of in marmalade, since you get a bit of bit extra of these sort of juicy fruity-berry flavors.”
Whereas dinner events and holidays are a enjoyable time to stretch your culinary muscle tissue — I imply, why not get away a completely new menu for a gaggle of ten?! — I prefer to have not less than one fool-proof dish on the desk. For me, that is this spiced gingerbread cloud cake. It takes its inspiration from Richard Sax’s well-known flourless chocolate cake.
“The cake emerges from the oven with a craggy crust and a fallen, basin-like middle that will get stuffed with cool whipped cream,” I wrote. “For me, it is a informal banquet go-to, as a result of it is easy, decadent, naturally gluten-free and that pile of whipped cream can conceal a large number of sins.”
This model packs a bit of extra seasonal heat; the batter is filled with molasses, darkish chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. The tip results of an achievable, easy-to-make dessert stays the identical.
Extra Salon tales about Hanukkah:
